During the team’s unveiling event in Las Vegas, Laurent Mekies, the team principal of VCARB F1, outlined the team’s aspirations. Their goal is to compete closer to the front of the grid rather than languishing at the back, where their best finish in the championship has been sixth place in their 18-year history of trying.
The expectations are high, and both Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda are under pressure to perform. Ricciardo, who has yet to recapture his legendary “just-send-it” form, is vying for the coveted Red Bull seat if Sergio Perez continues to struggle against Max Verstappen in the senior team.
Looking ahead to 2024, Tsunoda, despite claiming victory over Nyck de Vries early last season, still has much to prove. While substituting for the injured Ricciardo, he was outshone by Liam Lawson. The 23-year-old Japanese driver acknowledges that he has yet to convince the F1 community of his abilities. Tsunoda stated, “Last year, I was able to take a step forward in terms of discovering my value as a driver. Furthermore, I believe that the car will perform better this year, providing us with more opportunities to compete in the top 10. This will be the year where I demonstrate that I have what it takes to be a top F1 driver.”
As the team’s second-ever principal since 2005, Mekies shared his philosophy. While developing young drivers for the Red Bull family remains a crucial aspect of the project, it is not the sole focus. Mekies emphasized that there are other important factors at play. However, nurturing young talent has always been ingrained in the team’s DNA. The current lineup strikes an ideal balance between youth and experience with Yuki and Daniel, according to Mekies.
Mekies expressed his admiration for Yuki, praising his incredible speed and consistent improvement over time. Having had several teammates, Yuki has consistently demonstrated his rapid pace. Combined with his integration into the team and growing technical understanding, he possesses a strong package. Mekies commended Yuki’s work ethic, highlighting his frequent visits to the factory and his residence in Faenza. With his natural speed and the competitive dynamic between Yuki and Daniel, Mekies believes they form a formidable lineup.
In the other vehicle, Ricciardo, VCARB has a driver who believes he is merely staying afloat before Red Bull makes a move to replace Perez. For Dan, his Formula 1 career is still very much in jeopardy.
In a sport where outperforming your teammate is of utmost importance, the eight-time Grand Prix champion should have easily outshined Tsunoda right from the start. However, he still needs to prove himself.
But Mekies has faith in Ricciardo: “He is an invaluable asset to the team. There are only a few drivers in the field who possess his level of experience, numerous race victories, and a deep understanding of the car, along with a strong connection to our team members.
“When a driver can inspire and motivate a large group of individuals, it can make a significant difference. This hidden advantage cannot be measured by simply looking at lap times. It truly matters.
“We are thrilled to have him as part of our team, not only for his speed, determination, and contributions to car development, but also because he was once considered one of the best drivers in the world. Although he faced some challenges in recent years, we are fortunate to be able to rebuild with him.
“There is no reason why Daniel cannot regain the same level of success he once enjoyed. He has gained valuable experience and learned how to manage his energy since then. I see him as incredibly driven, motivated, and focused,” added Mekies, who is embarking on his first season as an F1 team principal with VCARB.
According to the Source grandprix247.com